Lawyer Hamza Sayibu Suhuyini has proposed establishing specialised courts in Ghana to handle medical negligence cases. He argues this move will strengthen accountability within the healthcare system.
Mr. Suhuyini, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, made these remarks on JoyNews' AM Show. His call follows recent reports, including the death of a pregnant woman allegedly denied a caesarean section due to unavailable recovery beds. He believes the country's current approach to these incidents is flawed.
This proposal comes at a time when public scrutiny of Ghana's healthcare system is intensifying, driven by reported cases of patient neglect and poor outcomes. The lack of a robust legal framework for redress has long been a concern, affecting public trust in medical institutions. Ghana's healthcare expenditure accounts for a significant portion of the national budget, yet outcomes remain uneven across regions and facilities, raising questions about efficiency and accountability. Relevant data from the Ghana Health Service often highlights challenges in resource allocation and facility readiness.
“The problem with this country is that even in our search for solutions, we look in the wrong places,” Mr. Suhuyini stated. He added that healthcare professionals operate under significant constraints and cannot alone resolve systemic failures.
The creation of specialised courts will tackle the existing barriers victims face, including limited public knowledge of legal processes and high litigation costs. A state-backed funding mechanism could support victims, removing upfront legal fees and engaging private law firms through a dedicated scheme, possibly linked to the National Health Insurance Scheme. This system would ensure lawyers receive payment from the public fund, not directly from financially constrained clients.
Many alleged negligence cases in Ghana are often 'swept under the carpet,' primarily because victims struggle to navigate the legal system. Delays within the court system also pose a significant challenge. Addressing these issues aims to restore public confidence in healthcare services and ensure justice for affected patients. The Chief Justice's office, in collaboration with the government and judiciary, would play a key role in implementing such a framework.
Such measures, Mr. Suhuyini believes, would improve patient confidence and ensure victims of medical negligence access justice more effectively. This initiative could prompt a wider review of patient rights and legal redress mechanisms across various public services.
It also holds implications for healthcare providers, potentially leading to stringent adherence to protocols and better resource management to avoid litigation. The legal and medical fraternities will likely engage in extensive discussions about the feasibility and specifics of the proposed changes.
This development will be watched closely by legal experts, healthcare advocates, and the general public. It could signal a significant shift in how Ghana addresses accountability in its vital healthcare sector.